Test strip ejector for medical device

ABSTRACT

A system and method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing device. The system includes parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails. A sled includes a sled post and opposed first and second side leg sets each having at least one deflectable leg. Each of the deflectable legs is externally slidably engaged to one of the guide rails limiting the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction. An actuator arm is rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly. The sled post is received in an actuator arm slot. Actuator arm rotation in a loading rotational direction displaces the sled in the loading direction in a sliding motion. Subsequent opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction displaces the sled in the ejection direction and ejects the test strip.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for measuring asample such as a body fluid, and more particularly to a device andmethod for loading and then ejecting a sample containing test stripfollowing measurement.

BACKGROUND

Medical devices are often used as diagnostic devices and/or therapeuticdevices in diagnosing and/or treating medical conditions of patients.For example, a blood glucose meter is used as a diagnostic device tomeasure blood glucose levels of patients suffering from diabetes. Bloodglucose meters use a test strip that receives a blood sample of thepatient. The test strip has electrical contacts on the strip that areelectrically contacted when the test strip is inserted into the meter.The meter determines a blood glucose level by measuring currents passedthrough the electrical contacts of the strip, and provides for readoutof the glucose level.

Known meters receive the test strip in an insertion direction that alsoengages the electrical strip conductors of the test strip with theelectrical contacts of the meter. As the test strip is loaded by theuser, the insertion motion is used to drive the electrical contacts ofthe test strip into engagement with the contacts of the meter. The stripejection system permits ejection of the dosed test strip followingtesting without further contact of the test strip by the user. Anyinterference with or sliding contact of the electrical contacts of thetest strip during insertion, however, can damage the electrical contactsor misalign one or more of the contacts. A force applied to eject thetest strip of known strip ejection systems can also cause racking orrotation of the test strip which can bind the test strip or interferewith ejection.

For example, the measurement device of U.S. Published Patent ApplicationNo. 2010/0012530 to Watanabe et al. includes a pushing member 11 havingprojection part 11 b that is slidably guided within a pushing membercover 12. Clearance between the projection part 11 b and pushing member12 therefore limits the control available to reduce deflection ofpushing member 11 during its travel to displace a sensor 200. Inaddition, pushing member 11 includes a single substantially centrallypositioned projection part 11 a guided in a notch 10 a. Control ofracking of the pushing member 11 during travel is limited by thetolerances between the projection part 11 b and pushing member cover 12,and between the projection part 11 a and notch 10 a. A braking systemhaving a first braking part 13 in contact with a side wall of the sensor200 is provided to slow down the exit speed of the sensor. This systemdoes not preclude racking of either the pushing member 11 or the sensor200, has only the single projection part 11 b to contact and drive thesensor 200 which can therefore be off-center of the sensor 200, and addsthe complexity of a braking system to limit ejection velocity.

European Patent Application EP 1321769 to Pugh appears to disclose atest strip dispensing system having strip push members 116, 210 guidedbetween rails 100 or 214. Rails of this design are positioned externalto the strip push members. The strip push members include outer wallareas such as ledges 220 acting as guides. Ledges 220, however, arepositioned within the rails 214, therefore continuous positive contactbetween the strip push members 116, 210 and the rails to limit rackingis not provided and racking can occur due to a tolerance between thecomponents. The design of strip push members 116, 210 and rails 100, 214also precludes installation in a direction perpendicular to the pushmember travel direction.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description that may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentdisclosure.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the disclosure, a test strip ejector system forreceiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing device includesfirst and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guiderails. A sled having first and second spatially separated contact facesis positioned in the rail cavity. The sled includes opposed first andsecond legs, each of the legs connected externally to and slidablycoupled with respect to one of the first or second guide rails for sledmotion in each of a loading direction and an ejection direction. Anactuator arm is rotatably connected to the fluid testing device. Thesled is coupled to the actuator arm such that rotation of the actuatorarm in a loading rotational direction moves the sled in the loadingdirection to position the sled in a test strip test position. Oppositerotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational directionoperates to displace the sled in the ejection direction away from thetest strip test position and to position the first and second contactfaces in direct contact with the test strip to eject the test strip fromthe fluid testing device.

In another embodiment, a test strip ejector system for receiving andejecting a test strip of a fluid testing device includes parallel firstand second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide railsand a sled having a sled post and opposed first and second legs. Each ofthe legs is connected externally to and slidably coupled with respect toone of the first or second guide rails thereby limiting displacement ofthe sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or anopposite ejection direction. The test strip is in direct contact withthe sled during motion in at least the ejection direction motion. Anactuator arm is rotatably connected to the fluid testing device. Thesled post contacts the actuator arm such that sliding motion of the sledin the loading direction and rotation of the actuator arm in a loadingrotational direction positions the sled in a test strip test position.Opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotationaldirection operates to displace the sled in the ejection direction and toeject the test strip.

In a further embodiment, a method is provided for receiving and ejectinga test strip by a mechanism assembly of a fluid testing device. Themechanism assembly includes first and second guide rails in parallelalignment device creating a rail cavity between the guide rails, anactuator arm, and a sled having: a sled post, at least one contact legintegrally extending from the sled, and opposed first and second sets oflegs. The method includes: individually slidably coupling the legs ofthe first set to the first guide rail, and the legs of the second set tothe second guide rail thereby limiting displacement of the sled to onlysliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejectiondirection; positioning the sled having the at least one contact leg inthe rail cavity such that the test strip is in direct contact with thecontact leg during motion in at least the ejection direction; axiallyand rotatably connecting the actuator arm to the mechanism assembly;sliding the test strip into the rail cavity; and following completion ofa test by the fluid testing device, rotating the actuator arm in anejection rotational direction thereby displacing the sled in theejection direction and ejecting the test strip from the fluid testingdevice.

In a further embodiment of the disclosure, a test strip ejector systemfor receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing deviceincludes parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavitybetween the first and second guide rails. A sled has a sled post andopposed first and second sets of legs, each set of legs having multipleS-shaped legs. Each of the S-shaped legs has a convex leg portion insliding contact with an upper surface, one of the first or second guiderails and an inner concave leg portion in sliding contact with anoppositely facing lower surface of the first or second guide rail toslidably couple the legs to either the first or second guide rail,thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion ineither a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction. Anactuator arm is rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly. The sledpost is slidably disposed in an elongated slot of the actuator arm andthereby contacts the actuator arm such that rotation of the actuator armin a loading rotational direction slides the sled in the loadingdirection. Subsequent opposite rotation of the actuator arm in anejection rotational direction displaces the sled in the ejectiondirection to eject the test strip.

In further embodiments, a glucose test meter has a test strip ejectorsystem for receiving and ejecting a test strip. The test meter includesa meter body having a component board positioned therein. Parallel firstand second guide rails are connected to the component board. The firstand second guide rails define a rail cavity between the guide rails. Asled has a sled post, first and second contact legs extending into therail cavity, and opposed first and second legs. Each of the legs isconnected externally to and is slidably coupled with respect to one ofthe first or second guide rails thereby limiting displacement of thesled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an oppositeejection direction. A test strip when disposed in the rail cavitydirectly contacts the contact legs during motion in at least theejection direction motion. An actuator arm is rotatably connected to amechanism assembly. The sled post contacts the actuator arm such thatrotation of the actuator arm in a loading rotational direction causessliding motion of the sled in the loading direction and positions thesled in a test strip test position. Opposite rotation of the actuatorarm in an ejection rotational direction operates to displace the sled inthe ejection direction and to eject the test strip.

In other embodiments, the sled can further include a friction reductioncoating applied at least to a surface of the sled having the convex legportion and the inner concave leg portion of each of the deflectablelegs. The sled can also include integrally connected first and secondcontact legs, the first and second contact legs extending into the railcavity and in direct contact with the test strip during motion in boththe loading and ejection direction motions. The sled can further includea closure member, which when the first and second contact legs contactthe closure member defines a positive stop preventing further slidingmovement of the sled in the ejection direction. A cover plate positionedin the rail cavity when contacted by the first and second contact legsdefines a positive stop preventing further sliding movement of the sledin the loading direction. An elongated slot created in the actuator armreceives the sled post and slidably retains the sled post in theelongated slot. According to several aspects, the sled post is apolymeric material and the sled is a metal, with the sled post beingfixedly connected to the sled.

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a rear plan view of a fluid analysis device having a teststrip ejector of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a front elevational end view of the analysis device of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of a circuit board assembly and test stripejector of the analysis device of FIG. 1, with the test strip ejector inthe default/test position;

FIG. 4 shows a top plan view of the circuit board assembly and teststrip ejector similar to FIG. 3, after the test strip ejector isdisplaced to the ejection position;

FIG. 5 shows a top front left perspective view of a test strip sled ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a bottom front right perspective view of the test stripsled of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of the test strip sled of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 shows an end elevation view of the test strip sled of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 shows a side elevation view of the circuit board assembly of FIG.3;

FIG. 10 shows a front end elevation view of the circuit board assemblyof FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 shows a front left end perspective view of the test strip ejectmechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 shows a front right end perspective view of the test strip ejectmechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 shows a rear left end perspective view of the test strip ejectmechanism of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a front right end perspective view of the test strip ejectmechanism of FIG. 4;

FIG. 15 shows a bottom plan view of a circuit board assembly and teststrip ejector modified from the analysis device of FIG. 1, with the teststrip ejector in the default/test or neutral position; and

FIG. 16 shows a bottom plan view of the circuit board assembly and teststrip ejector similar to FIG. 15, after the test strip ejector isdisplaced to the ejection position.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings. The drawings described herein are forillustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possibleimplementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an analysis device 10 of a test strip ejectorsystem 11, which can be used for example for testing blood glucoselevels, includes a housing 12 upon which a digital readout is providedindicating the results of a body fluid test conducted by the analysisdevice 10. An ejection button 16 is depressed following completion ofthe test to eject a test strip 18 which was previously received in aloading direction “A” in housing 12. Upon depression of the ejectionbutton 16, the test strip 18 is ejected in an ejection direction “B”.The user of the test strip 18 initially inserts test strip 18 intoanalysis device 10 so the test strip 18 is recognized, and then removesand doses and then again manually inserts the dosed test strip 18 in theloading direction “A”. After analyses, subsequent operation of ejectionbutton 16 ejects the test strip 18. Alternately, the user can manuallypull the test strip 18 in the ejection direction “B” to manually removethe test strip.

Referring to FIG. 2, test strip 18 is slidably received via a test stripreceiving port 20 created in a first end of analysis device 10. The teststrip receiving port 20 is sized to slidably receive the test strip 18while generally preventing twisting or rotation, such as a rackingrotation, due to lateral or side-to-side displacement of the test strip.

Referring to FIG. 3 and again to FIGS. 1 and 2, with the housing 12removed for clarity, the components of a circuit board assembly 22 arevisible. Circuit board assembly 22 includes a printed circuit board 24such as a printed circuit board having multiple components attachedthereto. Housing 12 further includes a mechanism assembly 26 which canbe biased prior to or upon receipt of the test strip 18 and can apply adisplacement force or a biasing force to eject the test strip 18.Mechanism assembly 26 includes ejection button 16 and an axiallyrotatable mounting pin 28 which is rotatable with respect to alongitudinal pin center axis 30 which is affixed to a stationarycomponent which would be on the PCB, housing, or some other nearbycomponent. A member such as an actuator arm 32 is connected to mountingpin 28 and therefore co-rotates as mounting pin 28 axially rotates withrespect to longitudinal pin center axis 30. The ejection button 16 isbiased using an ejection button biasing member 34 to return to theextended position shown following depression by the user. Manualdepression of ejection button 16 causes mounting pin 28 and thereforeactuator arm 32 to rotate, which directly contacts and slidablydisplaces a sled 36 in the ejection direction “B”. The sled 36 isslidably and connectably engaged with respect to opposed and paralleloriented first and second guide rails 38, 40. First and second guiderails 38, 40 are fixedly connected to printed circuit board 24. The sled36 slides with respect to and is externally engaged to each of the firstand second guide rails 38, 40, as will be better described in referenceto FIGS. 11 and 12. A sled post 42 which is generally cylindrical inshape is directly and fixedly connected to sled 36 and is slidably androtatably received within an elongated slot 44 created in actuator arm32.

Referring to FIG. 4 and again to FIGS. 1-3, after completion of the testby the analysis device 10, the test strip 18 is ejected from housing 12by depression of ejection button 16. Actuator arm 32 rotates in aclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 4 having sled post 42 engaged withsled 36 within elongated slot 44, displacing sled 36 in the ejectiondirection “B” and thereby discharging test strip 18. The amount of forceapplied by the user to ejection button 16 determines the force appliedby actuator arm 32 and sled post 42 to sled 36 to eject test strip 18.The higher the applied force, the greater the velocity of ejection oftest strip 18. Therefore, the force received (Fr) to eject the teststrip 18 is a function of the force applied (Fa) to ejection button 16which is greater than the opposing biasing force (Fo) of ejection buttonbiasing member 34 (Fr=Fa−Fo). Test strip 18 can therefore be ejectedwith enough force/velocity to direct test strip 18 into a trash orbiohazard container (not shown) when not positioned directly over thecontainer, or if analysis device 10 is held directly over the trash orbiohazard container, a reduced force applied to ejection button 16 willpush test strip 18 out to subsequently fall by gravity. When ejectionbutton 16 is released, the biasing force of ejection button biasingmember 34 returns ejection button 16 to its fully extended position.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the actuator arm 32 is shown in atest strip analysis position reached by a counterclockwise rotation withrespect to longitudinal pin center axis 30. The test strip analysisposition can be provided in each of two aspects. In a first aspect, inaddition to biasing ejection button 16, actuator arm 32 is also normallybiased by ejection button biasing member 34 to the counterclockwiserotated position shown in FIG. 3, which prepositions the actuator arm 32and the sled 36 in a neutral position (defined in this aspect as theposition shown in FIG. 3) ready for receipt of test strip 18. In thisaspect, test strip 18 is freely manually loaded into housing 12 until astrip end contacts or nearly contacts the sled 36. In the neutralposition of sled 36 defined in reference to the first aspect testposition, it is desirable that a clearance be retained between the teststrip 18 and sled 36 during the analyses phase (which is shown anddescribed in reference to FIG. 13). After testing/analyses is complete,ejection button 16 is depressed against the biasing force of ejectionbutton biasing member 34, causing rotation of actuator arm 32, and thesled 36 is displaced in the ejection direction “B” thereby dischargingtest strip 18.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the test strip analysisposition shown in FIG. 3 in a second aspect is reached by displacingsled 36 in the loading direction “A” from an initial position of sled 36as shown in FIG. 4 by manual insertion of the test strip 18. The forceof insertion of test strip 18 slidably displaces sled 36 in the loadingdirection “A” which directly rotates the actuator arm 32 in acounterclockwise direction. As the test strip 18 is inserted in theloading direction “A”, contact between test strip 18 and sled 36 occursin a rail cavity 41 which is created between the first and second guiderails 38, 40. The elongated slot 44 permits actuator arm 32 to rotatewith respect to longitudinal pin center axis 30 in response to a loadapplied from a sliding motion in the loading direction “A” of both thetest strip 18 and sled 36. In this aspect, the sliding motion of sled 36is therefore translated into a rotational motion of actuator arm 32 bycontact between sled post 42 and the wall of elongated slot 44.

Displacement of ejection button 16 causes rotation of the mounting pin28 in a clockwise direction as viewed with respect to FIG. 4. As theactuator arm 32 rotates in the clockwise direction, a force is appliedvia contact between actuator arm 32 and sled post 42 such that therotational motion of actuator arm 32 is translated into an axial slidingmotion of test strip 18 in the ejection direction “B”. The test strip 18which is in direct contact with sled 36 is ejected in the ejectiondirection “B” as the sled 36 is induced to slide in the ejectiondirection “B”. The test strip 18, during test strip loading in thesecond aspect described above, and during the ejection step for bothaspects, is in direct contact with each of opposed first and secondcontact legs 46, 48 which are substantially rigid, integrally connectedto sled 36, and positioned between deflectable legs which will bedescribed in reference to FIG. 5. Test strip 18 when positioned withinrail cavity 41 directly contacts first and second contact legs 46, 48which extend from sled 36 into rail cavity 41.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first and second contact legs 46, 48 areoppositely positioned in a minor image configuration of each other andhave common individual features therefore, the following discussion offirst contact leg 46 applies equally to second contact leg 48. Firstcontact leg 46 is substantially rigid and includes a planar leg portion50 having a contact face 52 facing away from sled post 42. The contactface 52 of each of the first and second contact legs 46, 48 directlycontacts the test strip 18 for initially displacing the sled 36 in theloading direction “A” in the second aspect discussed herein, and forejecting the test strip 18 from analysis device 10 in both the first andsecond aspects. The provision of the two spaced apart contact faces 52,52′ of the first and second contact legs 46, 48 eliminates inducedtorque on sled 36 that would occur using only a single contact point ofa single pin or leg, therefore further reducing the chance of rackingthe sled 36 during ejection.

The sled post 42 has a cylindrical body 54 which is perpendicularlyoriented with respect to a planar body portion 56 of sled 36. Accordingto several embodiments, sled 36 is made of a metal such as stainlesssteel, to maximize a stiffness-to-weight ratio of sled 36. Othermaterials for sled 36 can also be used, including plastics. According toseveral aspects sled post 42 is created of a polymeric material having alow coefficient of friction such as polyoxymethylene (POM). A POMmaterial or a similar material having a low coefficient of friction isselected for sled post 42 to maintain the shape of sled post 42 and tominimize frictional resistance between sled post 42 and actuator arm 32as sled post 42 slides within elongated slot 44 and as actuator arm 32rotates with respect to sled post 42. According to other aspects, inlieu of a separate part, sled post 42 can be an integral extension ofthe material of sled 36 and made such as by a staking, drawing orsimilar process during manufacture of sled 36. In these aspects, sledpost 42 can be cylindrical, dome shaped, or other shape as themanufacturing process allows. In these aspects, it is also desirable toprovide a coating of a material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)at least on sled post 42 to minimize frictional resistance between sledpost 42 and actuator arm 32.

With continuing reference to FIG. 5 and again to FIGS. 3 and 4, sled 36includes proximately positioned first and second legs 58, 60 andoppositely proximately positioned third and fourth legs 62, 64 which arein minor image configuration with respect to first and second legs 58,60. The sled post 42 according to several aspects is centrally locatedwith respect to each of the first, second, third, and fourth legs 58,60, 62, 64. A fifth leg 66 can also be provided in a spaced apartrelationship with respect to first and second legs 58, 60 such thatfirst leg 58, second leg 60, and fifth leg 66 define a first side legset 67. Similarly, a sixth leg 68 can be provided in a spaced apartrelationship with respect to third and fourth legs 62, 64 such thatthird leg 62, fourth leg 64, and sixth leg 68 together define a secondside leg set 69. Second side leg set 69 is a mirror image of first sideleg set 67. According to several aspects, third and fourth legs 62, 64are omitted, such that only first and second legs 58, 60 and fifth andsixth legs 66, 68 are provided to slidably engage the first and secondguide rails 38, 40.

Each of the individual legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 have a commongeometry, therefore the following discussion of sixth leg 68 appliesalso to each of the first through fifth legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66. Each ofthe legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 is positioned oppositely about planarbody portion 56 with respect to sled post 42 and is therefore orienteddownwardly as viewed in FIG. 5. Each of the legs includes an innerconcave leg portion 70 directly connected to an engagement portion 72which is oppositely directed with respect to inner concave leg portion70. Directly connected to engagement portion 72 is an end portion 74which is oppositely directed with respect to engagement portion 72 suchthat inner concave leg portion 70, engagement portion 72, and endportion 74 together substantially define an S-shaped portion when viewedfrom an end of sled 36 as will be evident in FIG. 8. It is noted thatfirst and second contact legs 46, 48 which are substantially rigid, arepositioned, in the embodiment having six deflectable legs, between thesecond and fifth legs 60, 66 or the fourth and sixth legs 64, 68, and donot include any of the S-shaped portion features of inner concave legportion 70, engagement portion 72, or end portion 74.

Referring to FIG. 6 and again to FIG. 5, sled post 42 includes a postconnection end 76 which extends through planar body portion 56 such thatpost connection end 76 is positioned on a lower body face 78 side ofplanar body portion 56. Post connection end 76 can be mechanicallyconnected to planar body portion 56 using a plurality of connectionmethods, including staking, forming or adhesively boding, to fix postconnection end 76 with respect to planar body portion 56. In addition, apost retainer 80 can also be included with post connection end 76, whichcan be biased into contact with planar body portion 56 or displaced,such as by a staking operation, such that post retainer 80 acts as aretention member to further retain the fixed position of post connectionend 76. According to additional embodiments, a friction reductioncoating 81 made from a material having a low coefficient of friction,such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), can be provided as a coating onat least the lower body face 78 of planar body portion 56. Frictionreduction coating 81 can also be provided on both sides or faces of sled36 prior to or following formation of any of the legs.

Referring to FIG. 7 and again to FIGS. 5-6, as previously noted sledpost 42 is centrally positioned with respect to each of the first andsecond legs 58, 60 and third and fourth legs 62, 64 such that alongitudinal post central axis 82 of sled post 42 is aligned with a sledlongitudinal axis 84. According to additional aspects, features such asfirst and second body notches 86, 88 can be created at a body first end90 of planar body portion 56. First and second body notches 86, 88define a location where material for individual sleds 36 can beperforated from a strip of material (not shown) defining multiple onesof sleds 36. In addition, a third body notch 92 can be created at a bodysecond end 94 of planar body portion 56. The purpose for third bodynotch 92 will be better described in reference to FIG. 14. According toseveral embodiments, a first leg-to-leg spacing “C” is provided betweenfirst and second legs 58, 60 and also with respect to third and fourthlegs 62, 64. A second leg-to-leg spacing “D” is provided between each offirst leg 58 and third leg 62 and both fifth leg 66 and sixth leg 68,respectively. Second leg-to-leg spacing “D” is selected such that athird leg-to-leg spacing “E” between, for example, second leg 60 andfifth leg 66 is greater than first leg-to-leg spacing “C”. The purposefor this increased spacing used for second leg-to-leg spacing “D” willbe described in better detail in reference to FIGS. 12 and 14.

It is noted that the location of first and second contact legs 46, 48,positioned between second and fourth legs 60, 64 and fifth and sixthlegs 66, 68, can be positioned at any distance with respect tolongitudinal post central axis 82, however, to help mitigate against aracking or rotation motion of sled 36 during operation, the first andsecond contact legs 46, 48 are positioned as close as possible withrespect to longitudinal post central axis 82, while providing clearancefor die or stamp tooling during creation of these legs. Racking isdefined herein as axial rotation of sled 36 with respect to longitudinalpost central axis 82, which if occurring could cause the sled 36 to bindduring sliding travel on the first and second guide rails 38, 40, orcause frictional resistance to sliding displacement, particularly duringtest strip ejection operation when rapid sliding motion is desired. Itis noted the description of the legs as first, second, third, fourth,fifth, and sixth legs is for clarity in collectively describing all sixof the legs according to one embodiment, however, the legs on any oneside of sled 36 such as legs 58, 60, 66 can also be referred to asfirst, second and third legs in defining their order.

Referring to FIG. 8 and again to FIGS. 3 and 5-7, sled post 42 and itslongitudinal post central axis 82 are oriented substantiallyperpendicular with respect to a body upper surface 96 of planar bodyportion 56. Each of the first and second contact legs 46, 48 areoriented substantially parallel with respect to longitudinal postcentral axis 82 and therefore are oriented substantially perpendicularwith respect to body upper surface 96 and lower body face 78. Each ofthe first through sixth legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 have similarfeatures with respect to first and third legs 58, 62 shown, thereforethe following discussion applies equally to each of the first throughsixth legs. A first upper contact surface 98 is defined in inner concaveleg portion 70′, and an oppositely located second upper contact surface100 is provided with inner concave leg portion 70″ such that an uppercontact surface spacing dimension “G” is defined between first andsecond upper contact surfaces 98, 100. A first lower contact surface 102is provided with inner concave leg portion 70′, and an oppositelypositioned second lower contact surface 104 is provided with innerconcave leg portion 70″. A lower contact surface spacing dimension “H”is greater than the upper contact surface spacing dimension “G”, therebydefining an outwardly canted angle α for inner concave leg portion 70″which is duplicated but oppositely directed with respect to innerconcave leg portion 70″. The difference between upper and lower contactsurface spacing dimensions “G”, “H” helps prevent binding of theindividual legs during sliding motion of sled 36. A spacing or distancedimension between engagement portions 72′, 72″ is less than each of theupper or lower contact surface spacing dimensions “G”, “H”. The S-shapeof each of the legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 including engagement portion72 externally contacts and captures one of the guide rails 38, 40, whichtogether with the deflectable design of the legs thereby providescontinuous, positive contact between the legs with the guide rails 38,40 throughout the travel path of sled 36, and limiting displacement ofthe sled 36 to only sliding motion in either the loading direction “A”or the opposite ejection direction “B”, and further preventing the sled36 from moving away from the guide rails 38, 40 during sliding motion.

Referring to FIG. 9 and again to FIG. 3, sled 36 is shown in the teststrip 18 loaded or test/analysis position such that a plane 106extending through planar body portion 56 of sled 36 is oriented parallelto each of test strip 18 and printed circuit board 24. Actuator arm 32rotates parallel with respect to plane 106, which therefore minimizesthe potential for binding or racking of sled 36 as it receives or ejectstest strip 18.

Referring to FIG. 10 and again to FIGS. 3 and 9, as test strip 18 isslidably moved within rail cavity 41, sled 36 is free to slidablydisplace either toward or away from the viewer, as shown in reference toFIG. 10. Sled 36 is slidable but is contained with respect to a “Z” axisby sliding engagement of inner concave leg portion 70′ with respect toan outward facing first guide rail bulbous face 108 of first guide rail38, and with respect to inner concave leg portion 70″ by slidingengagement with respect to an outward facing second guide rail bulbousface 110 of second guide rail 40. First and second guide rail bulbousfaces 108, 110 are oppositely directed with respect to each other, andeach of the first and second guide rails 38, 40 are orientedsubstantially perpendicular with respect to a board planar surface 112of printed circuit board 24.

Referring to FIG. 11 and again to FIGS. 3 and 10, according to thesecond aspect described herein, as test strip 18 is slidably disposedinto the test strip receiving port 20 in the loading direction “A”, atest strip end wall 113 of test strip 18 directly contacts each of thecontact faces 52, 52′ of first and second contact legs 46, 48. Thisdirect contact thereafter slidably displaces sled 36 also in the loadingdirection “A”. As sled post 42 of sled 36 is displaced in the loadingdirection “A”, sled post 42 contacts actuator arm 32 in elongated slot44 and thereby rotates actuator arm 32 in a loading rotational direction“J” with respect to the longitudinal pin center axis 30. For both thefirst and second aspects, as test strip 18 is received at the testposition shown, multiple contact points of the test strip 18 contact aconnector 111 positioned in the device thereby making electrical contactwith the connector 111 to permit analyses of the fluid provided withtest strip 18. Connector 111 can include multiple, individual contactpoints that each align with one of the contact points of the test strip18.

Referring to FIG. 12, a closure member 114 is provided between first andsecond guide rails 38, 40 and delineates test strip receiving port 20,and further maintains parallel alignment between test strip 18 and boardplanar surface 112. Each of the first through sixth legs 58, 60, 62, 64,66, 68 of sled 36 is positioned having the planar leg faces 105, 105′ insliding contact with upper surfaces 117, 117′ of the first and secondguide rails 38, 40, and each includes a convex leg portion 115 wrappingpartially about the first and second guide rail bulbous faces 108, 110,thereby individually externally connecting each of the first throughsixth legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 to one the first or second guide rails38, 40. The inner concave leg portion 70 of each of the first throughsixth legs is in sliding contact with an oppositely facing lower surface121, 121′ of either the first or second guide rail bulbous face 108, 110such that the first through sixth legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 partiallycapture one of the first or second guide rails 38, 40. This partialcapture prevents sled 36 from lifting off in a direction perpendicularto the first and second guide rails 38, 40, and prevents the planar legfaces 105, 105′ from moving away from sliding contact with the uppersurfaces 117, 117′ of the first or second guide rails 38, 40 at anyposition of the sled 36. The engagement portions 72 of each of the firstthrough sixth legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 are also positioned in slidingcontact with one of the lower surfaces 121, 121′ of the first or secondguide rail bulbous faces 108, 110 to further mitigate lifting of thesled 36 at any of its sliding positions.

It is noted that the multiple independent legs herein described as firstthrough sixth legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 are included in one embodimentof sled 36 however, according to further embodiments, any or all of theindividual legs of either first or second side leg sets 67, 69 can becombined together and still include the features of inner concave legportion 70 and engagement portion 72. Therefore, a single leg, two legs,three legs or more than three deflectable legs can be provided on eachside of sled 36. The width and/or dimensions of the single leg ormultiple legs on each side can also be varied. For example only, asingle leg having a width corresponding to the outside end to outsideend spacing of first and fifth legs 58 and 66 can be used in place offirst leg 58, second leg 60 and fifth leg 66. The use of multipleindividual legs in place of single wide legs reduces surface leg areasliding friction of sled 36 while providing maximum spacing between theend legs, such as first leg 58 and fifth leg 66, which maximizes amoment arm of sled 36, thereby minimizing a racking or rotation of sled36 as it slides with respect to the first or second guide rails 38, 40.A further advantage of providing the multiple individual legs of thefirst and second side leg sets 67, 69 is that multiple individual legsprovide greater elastic flexibility than single or combined legs. Thiselastic flexibility allows sled 36 to be mounted during an installationstage in a sled installation direction “K” oriented perpendicular to thefirst and second guide rails 38, 40, rather than requiring slidinginstallation in either of the loading direction “A” or ejectiondirection “B”. The legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 outwardly elasticallydeflect about the first and second guide rails 38, 40 allowinginstallation of the sled 36 in sled installation direction “K”transverse to the loading direction “A” and the ejection direction “B”.

Installation via sled installation direction “K” allows sled 36 to bepositioned directly over first and second guide rails 38, 40 andinstalled prior to installation of actuator arm 32 without interferingwith any other component mounted on printed circuit board 24, orrequiring the other component or components to be temporarily removedand/or installed at a later time than the installation of sled 36. Thisallows for automated machine installation of sled 36. Duringinstallation of sled 36 in the sled installation direction “K”, the endportion 74 of each of the individual legs deflects elastically outwardwith respect to the first or second guide rail bulbous face 108, 110.This allows each leg to elastically deflect in a leg displacementdirection “L”, as shown for first side leg set 67, and oppositelydeflect (not visible in this view) with respect to second side leg set69. When the engagement portion 72, 72′ moves past the first or secondguide rail bulbous face 108, 110, the leg elastically snaps back to thenon-deflected position. With the engagement portion 72, 72′ oppositelypositioned about the first or second guide rail bulbous face 108, 110with respect to the planar leg faces 105, 105′, the sled 36 is therebyslidably coupled to the first and second guide rails 38, 40, limitingmotion of sled 36 to sliding motion in either of the loading or ejectiondirections “A”, “B”.

Referring to FIG. 13 and again to FIG. 12, in the neutral position ofsled 36 defined in reference to both the first and second aspectsdiscussed above, test strip 18 is positioned in the fully inserted ortest position. A clearance “M” can be provided between the test stripend wall 113 of test strip 18 and the contact faces 52, 52′ of first andsecond contact legs 46, 48 of sled 36 during the test/analyses phase.Provision of clearance “M” prevents any force being applied to teststrip 18 in the ejection direction “B” during the test/analysis phase.

Referring to FIG. 14 and again to FIGS. 3-12, third body notch 92provides clearance for angled entrance lip 116 when sled 36 reaches itsfurthest displaced ejection position. Although contact between thirdbody notch 92 and angled entrance lip 116 can provide a positive stopfor sled 36, according to several aspects, a preferred positive stop forsled 36 is provided by direct contact between first and second contactlegs 46, 48 and each of a first and second stop face 118, 119 providedwith closure member 114. Following depression of ejection button 16,actuator arm 32 rotates in an ejection rotational direction “N”, therebycreating direct contact between a slot wall 120 of elongated slot 44 andan outer or perimeter surface of sled post 42. This contact andcounterclockwise rotation of actuator arm 32 displaces sled 36 in theejection direction “B”, allowing ejection or removal of test strip 18.It is noted that sled 36 is prevented from extending past either end ofthe first or second guide rails 38, 40 by the positive stops createdusing first and second stop faces 118, 119 and oppositely by contactbetween first and second contact legs 46, 48 and each of a first andsecond abutment face 126, 127 provided with a cover plate 128 seatedbetween first and second guide rails 38, 40. Sled 36 therefore cannotextend past rail assembly first end 122 or an opposite rail assemblysecond end 124 due to the positive stop features. According to otheraspects, it is possible to eliminate the positive stop features andprevent displacement of sled 36 past either rail assembly first orsecond ends 122, 124 by limiting a rotation of mounting pin 28, andthereby limiting rotation of actuator arm 32 between the fully ejectedposition and the fully loaded position of sled 36.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 8 and 14, the contact leg spacingdimension “F” of first and second contact legs 46, 48 is selected toposition first and second contact legs 46, 48 within rail cavity 41while providing as wide as possible contact leg spacing dimension “F” atthe maximum width of test strip 18. This also helps mitigate rotation orracking of sled 36 and/or test strip 18.

For operation, the test strip ejector system 11 for receiving andejecting test strip 18 from fluid analysis device 10 includes first andsecond guide rails 38, 40 defining rail cavity 41 between the guiderails 38, 40. Sled 36 includes first and second spatially separatedcontact faces 52, 52′ positioned in the rail cavity 41 and opposed firstand second legs 58, 62, each of the legs 58, 62 connected externally toand slidably coupled with respect to one of the first or second guiderails 38, 40 for sled motion in each of the loading direction “A” andthe ejection direction “B”. Actuator arm 32 is rotatably connected tothe fluid analysis device 10. The sled 36 is coupled to the actuator arm32 such that rotation of the actuator arm 32 in the loading rotationaldirection “J” moves the sled in the loading direction “A” to positionthe sled 36 in the test strip test position (shown in FIG. 3). Oppositerotation of the actuator arm 32 in the ejection rotational direction “P”operates to displace the sled 36 in the ejection direction “B” away fromthe test strip test position and to position the first and secondcontact faces 52, 52′ in direct contact with the test strip 18 to ejectthe test strip 18 from the fluid analysis device 10.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 5 and 11-14, with the exception ofthe first and second contact legs 46, 48 of sled 36, the one or multipleindividual legs of the first and second side leg sets 67, 69 are each incontinuous sliding contact only with one of the first or second guiderails 38, 40 in all reciprocal positions of sled 36, including the teststrip test position shown in FIG. 11 and the ejection position shown inFIG. 14, as well as all positions in between. Contact “only with” one ofthe first or second guide rails 38, 40 as recited above is definedherein to mean that no portion of any of the legs of the first andsecond side leg sets 67, 69 is in contact with, retained by, or guidedby any other feature or structure of the analysis device 10 except thefirst and second guide rails 38, 40 in any position of sled 36. Thisfurther helps to mitigate against racking or binding of sled 36. Inaddition, no portion of any of the legs of the first and second side legsets 67, 69 extends longitudinally beyond the first or second ends 122,124 of first or second guide rails 38, 40 in any operating position ofsled 36, therefore the legs are always continuously and completelyretained in sliding contact with the first or second guide rails 38, 40.Further clearance for longitudinal motion of sled 36 is therefore notrequired beyond the extents or first and second ends 122, 124 of firstand second guide rails 38, 40. The sled 36 therefore has the first andsecond spatially separated contact faces 52, 52′ located between opposedfirst and second legs, such as legs 58, 62 of the first and second legsets 67, 69, wherein each of the legs 58, 62 is connected externally toand retained in sliding continuous contact with one of the first orsecond guide rails 38, 40 between the first and second ends 122, 124 ofthe guide rails for sled motion in each of the loading direction “A” andthe ejection direction “B”.

Referring to FIG. 15 and again to FIGS. 1-14, an analysis device 130 ismodified from analysis device 10 to include a sled 132 having four legsin lieu of six legs, including first, second, third and fourth legs 134,136, 138, 140 which are substantially equivalent to first, third, fifthand sixth legs 58, 62, 66 and 68 of sled 36. The first and second guiderails 38, 40 are removed for clarity. The sled post 42 of sled 132 isrotatably connected to actuator arm 32. First and second contact legs142, 144 are similarly provided and oriented on sled 132 and thereforeperform the same functions as first and second contact legs 46, 48. Araised member 146 extending from housing 12 includes an arc-shapedsurface 148 which is directly contacted by sled post 42 and acts as aguide for sled post 42 during displacement of sled 132. The mounting pin28 is slidably received in a first elongated slot 150 created in anejection button body extension 152 which is connected to ejection button16. In the sled neutral position shown, ejection button 16 and ejectionbutton biasing member 34 are fully extended, mounting pin 28 ispositioned proximate to a first end of first elongated slot 150, andsled 132 is positioned to receive a test strip 18. A driver pivot pin154 extends from actuator arm 32, and according to several embodimentsis integrally connected to actuator arm 32. Driver pin 154 is receivedin a second elongated slot 156 created in body extension 152, having ashorter length than first elongated slot 150 to allow limiteddisplacement of driver pin 154 during rotation of actuator arm 32. Astop member 158 connected to structure of housing 12 provides anon-displaceable receiving point for ejection button biasing member 34.

Referring to FIG. 16 and again to FIG. 15, ejection button 16 is shownafter depression which compresses ejection button biasing member 34against stop member 158 and slidably displaces ejection button 16 andbody extension 152 in a release direction “Q”. This motion of bodyextension 152 also displaces driver pin 154 in the release direction“Q”. Because mounting pin 28 is substantially fixed with respect tohousing 12, displacement of driver pin 154 in the release direction “Q”rotates actuator arm 32 in the ejection rotational direction “N”.Displacement in the release direction “Q” continues until, by thedisplacement of body extension 152, a second end of first elongated slot150 is positioned proximate to mounting pin 28 and the positions ofmounting pin 28 and driver pin 154 are reversed with respect to theirpositions in the neutral position shown in FIG. 15. Rotation of actuatorarm 32 in the ejection rotational direction “N” displaces sled 132 inthe ejection direction “B”. Subsequent release of ejection button 16 bythe user allows the biasing force of ejection button biasing member 34to displace body extension 152 and ejection button 16 in a returndirection “R”, opposite to release direction “Q”, thereby returning sled132 in the loading direction “A” to the neutral position shown in FIG.15.

As noted herein, test strip ejectors and systems of the presentdisclosure can be used in meters by individual users having personaltest meters. Test strip ejector systems of the present disclosure canalso be incorporated in commercial devices such as hospital meters, forexample rechargeable test meters recharged by installation in a baseunit, and/or blood glucose meters such as ACCU-CHEK® Inform Systemglucose meters manufactured by Roche Diagnostics. The test strips usedby such hospital and glucose test meters can be configured differentlyfrom the test strips identified herein to conform to the requirements ofthe test and/or test meter, however the test strip ejector systems ofthe present disclosure will be similarly configured and function in asimilar manner.

In addition, test strip ejectors and systems of the present disclosurecan also be incorporated in individual or commercial devices such asblood coagulant test meters, for example blood clotting time test meterssuch as the CoaguChek® XS System coagulant test meters manufactured byRoche Diagnostics. The test strips used by such blood coagulant testmeters can be configured differently from the test strips identifiedherein to conform to the requirements of the test and/or test meter,however the test strip ejector systems of the present disclosure will besimilarly configured and function in a similar manner.

Test strip ejectors of the present disclosure offer several advantages.The following discussion of analysis device 10 applies equally toanalysis device 130. Sled 36 of the present disclosure provides asliding motion member that is retained by its deflectable legsexternally to a parallel set of guide rails 38, 40. This provides aclear space or rail cavity 41 between the guide rails for sliding motionof the test strip 18 in direct contact with sled 36. The first andsecond contact legs 46, 48 of sled 36 extend into rail cavity 41 socontinuous contact with test strip 18 is maintained when test strip 18is positioned in rail cavity 41 during sliding motion, at least in theejection direction “B”. In the neutral position of sled 36 defined inreference to the first aspect test position, a clearance “M” can bemaintained between the test strip 18 and sled 36 during the analysesphase to prevent any force being applied to test strip 18 in theejection direction “B” during the test/analysis phase. According toother aspects, continuous contact between first and second contact legs46, 48 of sled 36 with test strip 18 can be maintained during all timeswhen test strip 18 is positioned in rail cavity 41. The use of multipleelastically flexible legs 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 extends a moment arm ofsled 36 to minimize racking motion while also allowing for installationof sled 36 in a “Z” axis, perpendicular to the orientation of the guiderails. The sled post 42 being received in an elongated slot of actuatorarm 32 converts a rotational motion of actuator arm 32 into the slidingmotion of sled 36, minimizing the space required for the ejectionmechanism assembly 26 on printed circuit board 24, while allowing theejection mechanism assembly 26 to be mounted to a side of the guiderails in lieu of in axial relationship with the guide rails.

The apparatuses and methods described herein may be implemented by oneor more computer programs executed by one or more processors. Thecomputer programs include processor-executable instructions that arestored on a non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. Thecomputer programs may also include stored data. Non-limiting examples ofthe non-transitory tangible computer readable medium are nonvolatilememory, magnetic storage, and optical storage.

What is claimed is:
 1. A test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing medical device, the system comprising: first and second guide rails each having first and second ends; a sled having first and second spatially separated contact faces located between opposed first and second legs, each of the legs connected externally to and retained in sliding continuous contact with one of the first or second guide rails between the first and second ends for sled motion in each of a loading direction and an ejection direction; and a member movably connected to the fluid testing device, the sled coupled to the member such that member movement in a first direction displaces the sled in the loading direction to position the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite member movement in a second direction operates to displace the sled in the ejection direction away from the test strip test position and to position the first and second contact faces in contact with the test strip to eject the test strip from the fluid testing device by sled travel toward a test strip ejection position.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the legs has an S-shape including an engagement portion externally contacting and partially capturing one of the guide rails, thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either the loading direction or the ejection direction.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the legs outwardly elastically deflect about the first and second guide rails allowing installation of the sled in a direction transverse to the loading direction and the ejection direction.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sled includes a sled post received within an aperture of the member to couple the member to the sled.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sled includes a tubular shaped sled post received in an elongated aperture of the member allowing a rotational movement of the member to longitudinally displace the sled.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second guide rails define a rail cavity between the guide rails having first and second contact legs each including one of the first or second contact faces located between the first and second legs and positioned in the rail cavity.
 7. A test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing medical device, the system comprising: parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails, the guide rails having first and second ends; a sled having a sled post and opposed first and second legs, each of the legs connected externally to and continuously slidably coupled only with one of the first or second guide rails, thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction between the first and second ends of the guide rails, the test strip being in direct contact with the sled during motion in at least the ejection direction; and an arm contacting the sled such that sliding motion of the sled in the loading direction and movement of the arm in a first direction positions the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite movement of the arm in a second direction operates to displace the sled in the ejection direction thereby ejecting the test strip.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first and second legs are oriented in minor image to each other, and each includes an S-shaped portion.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first and second legs are each slidably disposed along an upper external surface of one of the first or second guide rails and the S-shaped portion of each includes an engagement portion positioned below a bulbous face of the first or second guide rail thereby preventing the sled from displacing away from the guide rails during sliding motion.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the S-shaped portion includes an inner concave leg portion facing away from the first or second guide rail, an engagement portion oppositely directed with respect to the inner concave leg portion, and an end portion.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein: each of the first and second guide rails includes a bulbous face; and the engagement portion is positioned below the bulbous face of one of the first or second guide rails thereby preventing the sled from displacing away from sliding contact with the guide rails during sliding motion.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the sled further includes a friction reduction coating applied at least to a surface of the sled having the convex leg portion and the inner concave leg portion of each of the legs.
 13. The system of claim 7, wherein the sled further includes first and second contact legs, the first and second contact legs positioned between the first and second legs and extending into the rail cavity and in direct contact with the test strip during motion in at least the ejection direction.
 14. The system of claim 13, further including a closure member, the closure member when the first and second contact legs contact first and second stop faces of the closure member defining a positive stop preventing further sliding movement of the sled in the ejection direction.
 15. The system of claim 13, further including a cover plate positioned in the rail cavity, wherein the cover plate when the first and second contact legs contact the cover plate defines a positive stop preventing further sliding movement of the sled in the loading direction.
 16. The system of claim 7, further including an elongated slot created in the arm, wherein the sled post is slidably received and retained in the elongated slot.
 17. The system of claim 8, wherein the sled post is a polymeric material and the sled is a metal, the sled post being fixedly connected to the sled.
 18. A test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing medical device, the system comprising: parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails; a sled having a sled post and opposed first and second side leg sets each having at least two deflectable legs, each of the deflectable legs of the leg sets externally, positively and continuously slidably engaged to one of the first or second guide rails thereby limiting the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction, with the sled in direct contact with the test strip between the guide rails during sliding motion in at least the ejection direction; and an actuator arm rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly, the sled post received and retained in an elongated slot of the actuator arm such that sliding motion of the sled in the loading direction and rotation of the actuator arm in a loading rotational direction positions the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction operates to displace the sled in the ejection direction and to eject the test strip.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least two deflectable legs each includes first, second and third deflectable legs each retained in contact only with one of the guide rails between first and second ends of each of the guide rails during motion of the sled in both the loading and ejection directions.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first and second deflectable legs are separated by a first leg-to-leg spacing, and the third deflectable leg is separated from the second deflectable leg by a second leg-to-leg spacing greater than the first leg-to-leg spacing.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein each of the first and second side leg sets further includes an integrally connected contact leg, the contact leg being substantially rigid and positioned between the second and third deflectable legs.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the contact leg tact extends into the rail cavity such that the test strip is in direct contact with the contact leg during motion in both the loading and ejection directions.
 23. The system of claim 19, wherein the first, second and third deflectable legs of the first and second side leg sets are oriented in mirror image to each other, and each of the first, second and third deflectable legs includes an S-shaped portion.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the first, second and third deflectable legs of the first and second side leg sets are each slidably disposed along an upper external surface of one of the first or second guide rails and the S-shaped portion includes an engagement portion positioned below a bulbous face of the first or second guide rail thereby preventing the sled from displacing away from the guide rails during sliding motion.
 25. The system of claim 18, wherein each of the first and second side leg sets further includes an integrally connected contact leg, thereby defining first and second contact legs, the first and second contact legs being substantially rigid and positioned between the deflectable legs of the first and second side leg sets.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the first and second contact legs extend into the rail cavity such that the test strip is in direct contact with both the first and second contact legs during motion in at least the ejection direction.
 27. The system of claim 25, wherein the deflectable legs of the first and second side leg sets are oriented in minor image to each other, and each includes an S-shaped portion.
 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the deflectable legs of the first and second side leg sets are each slidably disposed along an upper external surface of one of the first or second guide rails and the S-shaped portion includes an engagement portion positioned below a bulbous face of the first or second guide rail thereby preventing the sled from displacing away from the guide rails during sliding motion.
 29. The system of claim 18, wherein the deflectable legs are outwardly deflectable from the sled to permit the sled to be installed on the first and second guide rails in a direction transverse to the loading direction and the ejection direction.
 30. A fluid testing medical device adapted for testing and rejection of a test strip, comprising: a connector positioned in the device; a test strip when positioned in a test position making electrical contact with the connector; and a test strip ejector system connected to the device, including: first and second guide rails; a sled having opposed first and second legs, each of the legs externally slidably connected to one of the first or second guide rails for sled motion in each of a loading direction and an ejection direction; and an arm connected to the sled and movable between first and second positions, the arm when displaced from the first to the second position acting to move the sled in the ejection direction to eject the test strip from the fluid testing medical device.
 31. The fluid testing medical device of claim 30, wherein the first and second guide rails define a rail cavity between the guide rails.
 32. The fluid testing medical device of claim 31, wherein the sled includes first and second spatially separated contact faces between the first and second legs and positioned in the rail cavity, the contact faces contacting the sled at least during displacement of the sled in the ejection direction.
 33. The fluid testing medical device of claim 30, further including an ejection button connected to the arm, the ejection button when manually depressed providing a displacement force to move the arm and thereby the sled to eject the test strip.
 34. The fluid testing medical device of claim 33, further including a biasing member acting to normally bias the ejection button at an extended position and to normally bias the arm and thereby the sled to a test position, a biasing force of the biasing member increased when the ejection button is manually depressed.
 35. The fluid testing medical device of claim 30, wherein the arm is rotatably connected to the fluid testing device, and includes a slot receiving a post extending from the sled to connect the sled to the arm.
 36. The fluid testing medical device of claim 30, wherein the fluid testing medical device comprises a rechargeable hospital meter recharged by installation in a base unit.
 37. The fluid testing medical device of claim 30, wherein the fluid testing medical device comprises a blood glucose test meter.
 38. The fluid testing medical device of claim 30, wherein the fluid testing medical device comprises a blood coagulant test meter.
 39. A method for testing and rejecting a test strip using a fluid testing medical device, the fluid testing medical device having a connector and a test strip ejector system having first and second guide rails, a sled, and an arm connected to the sled, the method comprising: locating the connector in the device for contact by the test strip; inserting the test strip into the fluid testing medical device to a test position defined as the test strip making electrical contact with the connector; slidably connecting opposed first and second legs of the sled externally to individual ones of the first and second guide rails such that the sled is positioned proximate the test strip in the test position; moving the arm between a first and a second position thereby engaging the sled with the test strip; and displacing the sled in an ejection direction thereby ejecting the test strip from the fluid testing medical device.
 40. The fluid testing medical device of claim 39, further comprising separating the first and second guide rails to create a rail cavity between the guide rails.
 41. The fluid testing medical device of claim 40, further comprising extending first and second spatially separated contact faces from the sled into the rail cavity and aligned with the sled to permit the contact faces to contact the sled at least during displacement of the sled in the ejection direction.
 42. The fluid testing medical device of claim 39, further comprising: connecting an ejection button to the arm; and manually depressing the ejection button to provide a displacement force to move the arm and thereby the sled to eject the test strip.
 43. The fluid testing medical device of claim 42, further comprising normally biasing the ejection button using a biasing device to an extended position thereby biasing the arm together with the sled to a test position.
 44. The fluid testing medical device of claim 39, further comprising rotatably connecting the arm to the arm by positioning a post extending from the sled into a slot of the arm.
 45. A method for receiving and ejecting a test strip by a mechanism assembly of a medical fluid testing device, the mechanism assembly including first and second guide rails in parallel alignment device creating a rail cavity between the guide rails, an actuator arm, and a sled having: a sled post, at least one contact leg integrally extending from the sled, and opposed first and second sets of legs, the method comprising: individually slidably coupling the legs of the first set to the first guide rail, and the legs of the second set to the second guide rail thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction; positioning the sled having the at least one contact leg in the rail cavity such that the test strip is in direct contact with the at least one contact leg during motion in at least the ejection direction; axially and rotatably connecting the actuator arm to the mechanism assembly; sliding the test strip into the rail cavity; and following completion of a test by the fluid testing device, rotating the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction thereby displacing the sled in the ejection direction and ejecting the test strip from the fluid testing device.
 46. A method for receiving and ejecting a test strip by a mechanism assembly of a medical fluid testing device, the mechanism assembly including first and second guide rails in parallel alignment device creating a rail cavity between the guide rails, an actuator arm, and a sled having: a sled post, at least one contact leg integrally extending from the sled, and opposed first and second sets of legs, the method comprising: individually slidably coupling the legs of the first set to the first guide rail, and the legs of the second set to the second guide rail thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction; positioning the sled having the at least one contact leg in the rail cavity such that the test strip is in direct contact with the at least one contact leg during motion in at least the ejection direction; axially and rotatably connecting the actuator arm to the mechanism assembly; sliding the test strip into the rail cavity; and following completion of a test by the fluid testing device, rotating the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction thereby displacing the sled in the ejection direction and ejecting the test strip from the fluid testing device.
 47. The method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of claim 46, further including: orienting the legs of the first and second side leg sets in minor image to each other; and creating an S-shaped portion of each of the legs.
 48. The method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of claim 47, further including slidably disposing each of the legs of the first and second side leg sets along an upper external surface of one of the first or second guide rails.
 49. The method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of claim 47, further including: outwardly deflecting each of the legs of the first and second side leg sets by pressing the sled into contact with the first and second guide rails in a direction perpendicular to the loading and ejection directions; and continuing to press the sled onto the first and second guide rails until an engagement portion of the S-shaped portion snaps back toward the first and second guide rails below a bulbous face of the first or second guide rails thereby slidably coupling the sled to the first and second guide rails and preventing the sled from displacing away from the guide rails during sliding motion.
 50. The method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of claim 46, further including positioning the sled post in an elongated slot of the actuator arm to retain the sled post in continuous contact with the actuator arm.
 51. The method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of claim 46, further including displacing the sled and the sled post by contact with the test strip during insertion of the test strip, the sled post acting to rotate the actuator arm in a loading rotational direction.
 52. The method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of claim 51, further including positioning first and second ones of the at least one contact leg integrally connected to the sled into the rail cavity and aligned to directly contact the test strip during motion in both the loading and ejection direction motions.
 53. The method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of claim 46, further including initially biasing the sled and the sled post in a test strip test position prior to insertion of the test strip, thereby moving the actuator arm in a loading rotational direction.
 54. The method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of claim 53, further including positioning first and second contact legs integrally connected to the sled into the rail cavity aligned to directly contact the test strip during motion in both the loading and ejection directions.
 55. The method for receiving and ejecting a test strip of claim 46, further including: providing first, second and third legs with each of the first and second sets of legs; separating the first and second legs by a first distance; and spacing the third leg from the second leg by a second distance greater than the first distance.
 56. A test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a test strip of a fluid testing device, the system comprising: parallel first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the first and second guide rails; a sled having a sled post and opposed first and second sets of legs, each set of legs having multiple S-shaped legs; each of the S-shaped legs having a convex leg portion in sliding contact with an upper surface one of the first or second guide rails and an inner concave leg portion in sliding contact with an oppositely facing lower surface of the first or second guide rail to slidably couple the legs to either the first or second guide rail, thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction; and an actuator arm rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly, the sled post slidably disposed in an elongated slot of the actuator arm and thereby contacting the actuator arm such that rotation of the actuator arm in a loading rotational direction slides the sled in the loading direction, and subsequent opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction displaces the sled in the ejection direction to eject the test strip.
 57. The system of claim 56, wherein the sled further includes first and second contact legs extending into the rail cavity, such that the test strip is in direct contact with the first and second contact legs during motion in at least the ejection direction motion.
 58. The system of claim 56, wherein the sled further includes a friction reduction coating applied at least to a surface of the sled having the convex leg portion and the inner concave leg portion of each of the legs.
 59. A glucose test meter having a test strip ejector system for receiving and ejecting a test strip, the test meter comprising: a meter body having a component board positioned therein; parallel first and second guide rails connected to the component board, the first and second guide rails defining a rail cavity between the guide rails; a sled having a sled post, first and second contact legs extending into the rail cavity, and opposed first and second legs, each of the legs connected externally to and slidably coupled with respect to one of the first or second guide rails thereby limiting displacement of the sled to only sliding motion in either a loading direction or an opposite ejection direction, a test strip when disposed in the rail cavity directly contacting the contact legs during motion in at least the ejection direction motion; and an actuator arm rotatably connected to a mechanism assembly, the sled post contacting the actuator arm such that sliding motion of the sled in the loading direction and rotation of the actuator arm in a loading rotational direction positions the sled in a test strip test position, and opposite rotation of the actuator arm in an ejection rotational direction operates to displace the sled in the ejection direction and to eject the test strip.
 60. The glucose test meter of claim 59, wherein the sled includes a post received in an elongated slot of the actuator arm to retain the sled in contact with the actuator arm during motion in both the loading and ejection directions.
 61. The glucose test meter of claim 59, further including an ejection button connected to the mechanism assembly depressed to rotate the actuator arm in the ejection rotational direction.
 62. The glucose test meter of claim 59, wherein the component board is a printed circuit board. 